News Mash-up: COVID-19

Long work hours are a killer, WHO study shows Working long hours is killing hundreds of thousands of people a year in a worsening trend that may accelerate further due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization said on May 17. In the first global study of the loss of life associated with longer working hours, the paper in the journal Environment International showed that 745,000 people died from stroke and heart disease associated with long working hours in 2016. That was an increase of nearly 30% from 2000. The joint study, produced by the WHO and the International Labor Organization, showed that 72% of victims were men of middle age and older. (Reuters) Amazon to give $100 to new hires with vaccine Amazon.com, Inc. will give $100 (¥10,900) more to new hires with proof of COVID-19 vaccination, the world’s largest e-commerce retailer said on May 13, as part of its plan to employ 75,000 workers for fulfillment and logistics operations. As vaccines become crucial to the reopening of the economy, several U.S. retailers are offering bonuses or other perks to staff getting their shots. Demand for hourly staff at restaurants, factories, retail stores and fulfillment centers is rising as e-commerce demand remains robust and consumers are expected to leave their homes more. Amazon will also pay a sign-on bonus of up to $1,000 (¥109,000). (Reuters) These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.